Mindfulness

Ahimsa Trust promotes the practice of cultivating mindfulness – the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. This practice enables the practitioner to touch life deeply in every living moment and be truly alive and present to themselves and to those around. The Trust organises regular mindfulness meditation practice sessions, retreats, talks and events, inviting facilitators from India and across the world to lead sessions in India, primarily in and around Delhi and Dehradun.

A. Teachings, Retreats and Courses

Our events promote the cultivation of mindfulness in education, culture and environment. We support gender sensitization, responsible tourism and sustainable livelihoods.

Events

B. Institutions

The Trust collaborates with schools, colleges, the paramilitary and police force, government agencies, corporates, media and the medical community. The main focus has been working with educators in schools, colleges and more recently with the police force.

1. Wake Up Schools, India

Mindfulness is being aware of what is happeing inside and around us in the present moment. It is recognized as an essential support for students, teachers, school administrators and parents.

Learn More

2. Peace in Oneself, Peace in the World

Mindfulness with the paramilitary and police forces

Ahimsa Trust was approached by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to conduct training in mindfulness with their officers and personnel. These forces work under high pressure and stress having to treat other Indians as adversaries. There are high instances of suicide and fratricide among them.

Ahimsa teachers have offered a variety of mindfulness practices, talks and initiated group interactions through retreats and days of mindfulness for CRPF officers of various ranks.

They have now trained more than 6,000 personnel. Ahimsa has received requests to follow up such workshops with more paramilitary units and their families.

Ahimsa Trust considers bringing mindfulness to this community a high priority as part of its work on peace in oneself and peace in the world. Police and Forest officers in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand have also been attending retreats and mindfulness sessions.

Mindfulness retreats with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Uttarakhand police

2021

Har Pal Mein Shanti (25th and 26th September) – A session on Mindfulness Practices was organised by Ahimsa Trust for the RTC Bondsi, Haryana Police on 25th & 26th September 2021.The main objectives of this session was ‘Har Pal Mein Shanti’.Learning to ‘Stop and Pause’ in the midst of our daily activities with an aim to develop the capability to handle anxiety and stress that are obstacles to clarity of the mind and hence to achieving our objectives in life. These practices are beneficial in personal and professional settings, enabling trainees to live a more peaceful and productive life by carrying out their duties in a more mindful manner.

The session contents included:

Interaction with Ustaads
Eating Meditation
Walking Meditation
What does it mean to be Present?
Learning to STOP!
Bells of Mindfulness
Stop! Breathe & Smilev Awareness of Listening Patterns
Deep Body Relaxation v Questions & Answers.

‘Ab tak kayi prakar ke karykram ho chuke hain lekin aaj jo karyakram hua vah hamare niji jivan se juda hua hai aur jitni bhi baten batayi gayin unpar amal karna bahut zaruri hai taki hum apni dincharya ko ‘tanaav mukt’ kar payen . Apka bahut bahut dhanyavaad jo apne aaj humein dhyan lagane ke bare mein itna kuch bataya; main apne jivan mein zaroor apnaoonga.’

– Sumit Kumar

‘Aaj ka program bahut achha va seekhne yogya tha. Is-se humein yah seekh mili ki chahe kitni bhi jivan mein pareshaniyan ho, humein unka ekdam shantimayi va vastavikta saath unka hal karna chahiye. Us-se bhaagna nahin chahiye. Unhen bojh na samaj kar, mauka samjhna chahiye.’

– Maninder Singh

IMPACT & ACHIEVEMENTS

The greatest impact was made during the practice of Walking Meditation. The recruits were surprised as to how quickly it was possible to calm the mind and bring it to focus. ‘Man halka lag raha hain, badan halka lag raha hai’ were remarks that were heard during the interaction. The recruits even invited us to stay for the next 15 days for them to continue this practice of Walking Meditation!
Creating clarity through stories: The recruits related to the stories and anecdotes which made the made the teaching easy to grasp. The meaning of Mindfulness and the importance of ‘being present’ were explained through visualization that is inherent in stories.
Guided Meditation & Deep Body Relaxation, both practices were well received. For most of the participants these practices were a first-time experience and many were relaxed enough to fall asleep during both these activities! Deep relaxation and focusing on one’s in-breath and out-breath during meditation, are practice-oriented and the introductory session of stories and talks set the tone.
Q & A: The recruits raised relevant questions for the Question & Answer session, which reflected that they had been listening intently. Having anonymous questions ensured that the recruits did not feel inhibited to raise their doubts. A list of their questions is attached at the end of the report.
The impact was palpable at the Question & Answer session, when the personal stories shared by the Ahimsa Trainers which made the participants realise that no extra time is needed for meditation; that Mindfulness practices can be applied in daily life, in order to keep one’s balance during moments of emotional turbulence. This then helped to challenge the view held by the recruits and Ustaads that this session on Mindfulness was mere theory.
Interaction with Ustaads: The interaction with the Ustaads an evening before the session with the recruits was a good way of breaking the ice before the main session the next day. The Ustads spoke freely of their work pressure and of family responsibilities, some expressing that they would think of meditation after retirement! This view was gently challenged during the main session as the Ahimsa trainers spoke of their experiences in applying the various practices.
Two phrases that made a mark were: ‘Neend, Bhook aur Gussa, jitna barhaoge utna barhega’ and ‘Jitna Abhyas: Utni Jagrukta: Utna Saiyyam.’
Posters: regarding Mindful Consumption created in Hindi and gifted by Ahimsa on the Five Contemplations were appreciated by the authorities.

SOME QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE RECRUITS

What can be done to capture the attention of children in the age group of 10-17 years? (Chotte baccho ka dhyan lagane ke liye kya kare – umar 10-17 saal?)
Can the mind be used to cure illness? What is the connection between mind and interest? (Man ke dwara rogo ko dur kiya ja sakta hai? Man aur ruchi ka kya sambandh hai?)
Whenever I try to concentrate, my mind is drawn towards thinking about indecent things? (Jab bhi dhyan lagane ki koshish karta hoon toh asheel cheezo ki taraf dhyan zyada jata hai?)
Share some real life experiences of how to implement? More examples like the three golden breaths.
What are the things to keep in mind to get ahead in life? (Apne jeevan main aage badhne ke liye kin baataon ka dhyan rakhna chahiye ?)
Is it correct to pick faults in people? (Kya doosre ki galtiyan nikal lena theek hai ya nahin?)
While talking is it alright to interrupt somebody? (Baatchhet ke doraan beech main bolna chahiye?)
If it is important to listen to other people, is it important to listen to oneself as well? (Logon ko sun na toh zaroori hain, kya apne aap ko bhi sunna zaroori hai? )
How to deal with a relationship when it ends.

2020

Cultivating Mindfulness (25th June to 8th August) – An online 8 week course attended by 40 officers of the CRPF from Jammu and Kashmir where sessions were held on a weekly basis.
‘A Cloud Never Dies’ (8th to 10th January 2020), Welham Boys School, Dehradun
44 CRPF jawans Jammu and Kashmir participated in this 3 day session which was conducted with Hindi translation. It was led by monastics from Plum village and lay teachers of Ahimsa Trust.

2019

‘Refresher on Mindfulness’ (11th to 12th of October 2019) for 40 CRPF jawans and officers at Shiv Nadar School, Noida, India

2018

‘Peace in oneself, Peace in the World’ (7th to 9th September 2018), Group Centre, CRPF, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
120 officers and police personnel were trained for 3 days on mindfulness practices by the Ahimsa teachers and monastics. They in turn went back to their battalions and trained 6000 soldiers. Video footage of the men practicing mindfulness is available.
“Protecting and Serving” (1st to 3rd June 2018), Group Centre, CRPF, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
In May 2018, the Inspector General of the CRPF, Ms Charu Sinha got in touch with the Trust requesting mindfulness workshops for her officers and police personnel. The Trust responded immediately and four core group members visited Muzaffarpur in Bihar and held a 3 day session for 39 police officers. The feedback from the retreat was extremely positive and a follow up retreat was requested.

2017

‘Be Still and Know’ (13th -15th October 2017), Welham Boys School, Dehradun, India.
At the workshop conducted at Welham Boys School there were a total of 173 people who attended. Among them were 17 police officers. The response from the police was especially encouraging and Ahimsa Trust has been asked to conduct sessions at their Police lines in Dehradun.
“This Moment is full of Wonder” (2nd September 2018)Dehradun, India
A full day of mindfulness was organised with 30 police personnel, both men and women

3. Other Institutions

Corporate sector, Non- government organisation, Government organisations, Media, Medical Community etc.

Corporate sector

Ahimsa Trust has collaborated with and offered talks and led sessions through Thich Nhat Hanh, Dharmacharya Shantum and monastics for:

Max Estates Limited

Ahimsa Trust organized a mindfulness session on ‘Compassionate Leadership’ at Max Towers Noida on 15th March 2024. The event was attended by approximately 65 participants from corporates like Max Estates, schools like Shiv Nadar and Heritage, and a few NGOs.

The session, which consisted of a guided meditation led by Br. Bao Thich and a dharma talk by Br. Phap Hanh, monastic practitioners from Plum Village France, also included opportunities for participants to experience walking meditation and tangerine meditation.

Overall, the group was engaged throughout the session, and the Q&A saw many personal questions being answered on how the practice could support their well-being. The feedback received was heartening, with participants commenting, “I work here every day but just noticed the beautiful flowers we have outside!” and “I have never enjoyed a tangerine so much”.

Antara Senior Living

2024

‘Finding Our True Home‘ on 7th March, 2024 at Antara Senior Living, Dehradun: The Antara mindfulness event was an extraordinary gathering, inviting participants into a journey of self-discovery and tranquility.

Beginning with a gentle guided meditation by Sister Tue Nghiem, attendees were led into a state of inner calm, setting the stage for what was to come.

Br Pham Hanh’s unscripted Dharma talk unfolded with profound depth and light-heartedness, addressing pressing questions about service, anxiety, and finding inner peace. His words, woven with melodies and captivating stories, resonated deeply with all present, leaving a lasting impact.

Following the talk, Sr Tue Nghiem guided the group on a peaceful walking meditation through the lush gardens of Antara. As they strolled, participants were captivated by the beauty surrounding them, noticing details they had previously overlooked. The session concluded with a shared moment of reflection and appreciation in the lobby, filled with a sense of love and tranquility. Feedback from attendees echoed the sentiment of nourishment and gratitude, with many expressing a desire for more frequent gatherings of this nature.

2022

‘An Introductory Talk on Mindfulness‘ at Antara Senior Living, Dehradun on 14th April, 2022, Teachers from Plum Village and DharmacharyaShantum offered an introductory talk on Mindfulness at Antara Senior Living, Dehradun on 14th April, 2022. About 30 people were invited for this event. The number was restricted due to Covid. There was a session of questions and answers after the talk.

The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Aspen Institute
Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) – 3rd to 5th March 2023

Shantum Seth agave an orientation and a number of talks, including practice sessions and question and answer sessions to an international group of the YPO over two days. This was followed by Ahimsa partner teachers leading a walking meditation in Rajgir for the same group.

Hero Corp Finance
Business World
Bain and Co.
World Presidents Organisation (WPO)
Business Today (Mind Rush Conclave)
Oil and Natural Gas Commission, India
All India Management Association, The National Institute for Personnel Management, (NIPM) “Introduction to Mindfulness and Management”.
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Business World. Dharmacharya Shantum gave a talk on ‘Importance of kindness, authenticity and mindfulness for Leaders’
ASSOCHAM
Forbes ‘Leading with Genuine Care’

‘Walking Meditation’ with the team of Hero Corp Finance

Ahimsa Trust has collaborated with and offered talks and led sessions through Thich Nhat Hanh, Dharmacharya Shantum and monastics for:

Max Estates Limited
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Aspen Institute
Young Presidents Organisation (YPO)
Hero Corp Finance
Business World
Bain and Co.
World Presidents Organisation (WPO)
Business Today (Mind Rush Conclave)
Oil and Natural Gas Commission, India
All India Management Association, The National Institute for Personnel Management, (NIPM) “Introduction to Mindfulness and Management”.
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Business World. Dharmacharya Shantum gave a talk on ‘Importance of kindness, authenticity and mindfulness for Leaders’
ASSOCHAM
Forbes ‘Leading with Genuine Care’

‘Walking Meditation’ with the team of Hero Corp Finance

Medical Community

Government of India

Parliament, Uttarakhand Forest Department, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Gandhi Smriti, IBC (Ministry of Culture)

NGOs

Rama Krishna Mission, Vivekananda International Foundation

Media Organisations

Times of India, Hindustan TImes, Indian Express, Garhwal Post, The Hindu

NDTV, Zee TV, BBC (India), BBC Radio (UK), PBS (USA), Doordarshan, Public Service Broadcasting Trust (India), Major ST. Productions (Canada)

C. COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE/SANGHAS

There are a number of events which Ahimsa organises on a regular basis. These are open to the general public and range from talks and small gatherings to days of mindfulness and retreats. These events are mostly free of charge and based on voluntarily donation

Sangha meetings: We have communities of practitioners in 5 regions of Delhi and in Dehradun who gather and practice regularly on a monthly or bi monthly basis for a couple of hours.. These groups range from 5 to 20 people. You are welcome to be a part of any group which suits you geographically. Please click on the following here for details.

Monthly Days of Mindfulness/ Evenings of mindfulness: An evening or a day of mindfulness ranges from 2 hours to a full day of practice and togetherness. It can include sitting meditation, a talk, walking and eating meditation and if time permits, deep relaxation, questions and answers, circle sharing and other mindfulness practices. Ahimsa organises one such day/evening every month on the last Saturday or Sunday of the month. Please look at our events page for details.
Full Moon meditations: Ahimsa has been organising Buddha Purnima Full moon mindfulness evenings annually since 1997, usually at the beautiful location of Sanskriti Kendra in Delhi. In 2020, we had it on zoom!

Talks: Ahimsa has been organising talks with teachers from different traditions since 1996. Thich Nhat Hanh, Ajahn Sumedho, Stephen Batchelor, Robert Thurman, Shantum Seth, monastics from Plum Village are some of the teachers who have shared their wisdom in events open to all who may be interested
Morning meditations: Regular morning meditation has been offered to friends across the world. These are free and open to anyone who may be interested. Please look at our Buddha Path – Ahimsa YouTube channel for recordings or live sessions in the future.
Retreats: Every year Ahimsa organises one or two retreats which range from 3 to 5 days. This is a deeper immersion into the practice for those who want to understand it better. Retreats could be for a specific institution, but usually are open for the general public as well.
Core group training: For those who are regular practitioners and lead sanghas in Thich Nhat Hanh’s tradition, there is an annual training led by Dharmacharya Shantum. Members study and go deeper into the practice and commit to sharing these with the wider public

D. JAMUN VILLAGE

Ahimsa core group meeting at Jamun Village

Background

‘Ahimsa’ which means non-harming, is inspired by the teachings of the Buddha, Gandhi and Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). This Indian volunteer driven, non-profit trust was established in 1996. It is geared towards education, village development initiatives and mindfulness, aimed at creating peace and harmony within oneself, one’s family and society
Mindfulness and living in community are now well accepted as benefiting mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Over the years there has been a deeply felt need and consistent request for a Mindfulness Practice Centre in India, where individuals and families can visit and live in harmony and awareness.
Ahimsa Trust has been working to realise this dream and now has a proposal in place.

‘The Future is Now’, Wakeup Retreat At Jamun Village, Dehradun – March 18-21, 2024

Thich Nhat Hanh planting a Banyan tree at Jamun Village

Vision

To create a mindfulness practice centre inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village in France. Conceived as a multi-generational five-fold community of nuns, monks, laywomen, laymen and children from India and globally.
To develop an ecologically sustainable space for those who want to live in harmony with the indigenous ecosystem and touch the magic and miracle of inter- dependence.
To offer refuge for those who want to experience beauty, peace, and happiness in their lives, while bringing joy and peace to other lives in the wider community through social engagement and education.

This vision is now possible as some well-wishers have donated a beautiful piece of land in Dehradun, in the state of Uttarakhand in the foothills of the Himalayas and the educational capital of India. Thich Nhat Hanh suggested calling it Plum Village-India when he blessed this land and planted a Banyan tree.

We are calling it Jamun Village. ‘Jamun’ is the local Black Plum and the tree under which the Buddha meditated for the first time as a child of nine.

Jamun Village in the foothills of the Himalayas

Goals, Objectives & Activities

Setting up a Mindfulness Practice Centre.
Building an intergenerational practicing and living community based on the Mindfulness Trainings, with a daily schedule.
Conducting talks/teachings, retreats/workshops, evenings, and days of mindfulness, for the diverse Indian and global community including the elderly, families, the police, doctors, corporate leaders, professionals, and others, with a special emphasis on educators and children.
Manifesting a cultural space where people can share, experiment, and develop their creativity in the areas of theatre, film, dance, music, literature, and traditional art forms.
Building a play area for children.
Developing an interactive library/audio visual centre.
Offering naturopathy training and healing to the local community and setting up a Naturopathy Centre.
Setting up a 10 mile restaurant which will raise funds for the Trust by offering organic brunches and high teas.
Hosting Sustainable Tourism workshops.
Designing craft products and services based on nonviolent economics.
Planting groves and cultivating indigenous species.
Focusing on best practices related to water and waste management, sustainable energy, organic farming, and eco building designs.

Once the physical infrastructure of Jamun Village is in place, the Mindfulness Practice Centre aims to be self-sustaining and economically independent using the means of right livelihood.